The sheepskin scroll had many small and cramped words scribbled on it along with a drawing of a map. Merlin did not care much about it at first, but upon carefully reading the contents, his expression slowly became solemn.

It turned out that it was a mysterious Nourishment Pond that Count Altadin's powerful ancestor had spent countless painstaking efforts to create by utilizing all the materials collected in his lifetime.

According to the ancestor, this Nourishment Pond contained terrifying power, and one could only use it if their almighty beast's will was at least peak mid-tier. Once it was used, it would increase the probability of the Host becoming a full-shifter.

The Nourishment Pond was to increase the probability of becoming a full-shifter. Merlin had not heard of anything like this before. After all, becoming a full-shifter depended almost entirely on luck.

After Merlin carefully studied the map, there seemed to be a hidden place outside the Holy Dragon City. However, it was almost entirely the rebels' territory outside of the Holy Dragon City. It would be difficult to enter those areas without notice.

"I'll put this aside first. I'll think about it after meeting the royal family."

Merlin had many things to deal with. He had to sort them out, but he was not in a rush. He felt that visiting the royal family had more to it than just the act of inheriting the title of Count.

Thus, after putting away the sheepskin scroll, Merlin returned to the manor.

...

On the second day, Merlin had breakfast as usual and dressed in a fine aristocratic cape. With the maid's help, he put on a pair of long riding boots. Only then did he leave the manor and got into the carriage.

The carriage rode on the limestone road, causing rattling noises. Merlin noticed that even the coachman seemed nervous. After all, they were going to the royal palace.

Although the royal family of the Holy Dragon Empire was declining day by day, to ordinary people, the royal family was still a colossus. Ordinary people would not even imagine entering the royal palace.

Merlin was not nervous. He would not be surprised even if the will of the Almighty Beast World appeared in front of him, much less the royal family. However, he wondered what the purpose was for the royal family to invite him to the palace other than inheriting the title of Count.

"Halt."

A palace guard stopped the carriage. Merlin handed him Count Stanwin's identification and the invitation letter sent by the royal family. Such treatment was not something that ordinary nobles could enjoy often.

Therefore, after seeing the invitation letter, the guard showed respect to Merlin and asked, "Is the honorable Count going to the main hall? Some nobles are waiting to register there."

"Then I'll go to the main hall."

Merlin was not very familiar with the royal palace either, so there were naturally guards leading the way. He sat quietly in the carriage since he was not interested in the scenery.

"Creak."

Suddenly, the carriage jerked lightly. The coachman's voice sounded, "Master Leon, we've arrived."

Merlin lifted the curtain of the carriage and walked out. Currently, the sun was shining brightly overhead, making him feel warm. The hall was very large, and there was a huge statue of a beast outside. However, Merlin did not know what beast this sculpture was.

"This is the Sacred Lion Beast."

The guard standing by the side seemed to see Merlin's surprise and could not help but explain.

"Is this the Sacred Lion Beast? Have you seen it before?"

Merlin was somewhat surprised and turned to the guard.

"The honorable Count is jesting. How would I have seen the Sacred Lion Beast? There are many such statues in the royal palace, and everyone says that those are the Sacred Lion Beast. Furthermore, many famous almighty beasts don't look like that."

Merlin nodded thoughtfully. A mere guard was indeed not qualified to see the real Sacred Lion Beast. Merlin could not help but look at the statue again. Ever since he entered the palace, he developed a strange feeling as if he was being watched.

After entering the main hall, Merlin found several people dressed in aristocratic attire talking in low voice. When Merlin came in, they looked at him curiously and continued talking with their heads down. They must be aristocrats who came to register and inherit noble titles for various reasons.

The hall seemed gloomy and cold. Merlin wrapped himself in his overcoat and closed his eyes. No matter how noisy the outside was, it had nothing to do with him.

"Leon!"

Suddenly, a cold voice sounded. Merlin opened his eyes and saw that everyone's gazes were fixed on him.

"That's me."

Merlin glanced at the newly appeared man in the hall. He nodded slightly and took out a directory. Then, he began to recite what was written on the directory, "Lord Leon, you'll be the Count of Boulder City, and inherit the title from Count Stanwin."

Merlin nodded. Inheriting the title was just a formal procedure. Boulder City was recaptured thanks to his efforts. If he did not agree, then no one could take away the territory.

After completing the procedure, Merlin did not plan on staying either, so he went outside and return to the manor. However, the man from earlier hurriedly went after him.

"Do you need something from me?"

Merlin frowned and asked without any trace of politeness.

However, the man did not get angry but replied kindly, "Count Leon, the Princess Royal has asked to see you."

"The Princess Royal?"

Merlin recalled carefully. He had never known any Princess Royal. He knew that there were princes and princesses in the royal family, but most of the actual power resides in the prince's hands. Although Her Highness also held some power, it was far less than the prince's. There were only a few princesses who could rival the prince, and among them was the Princess Royal, who had sworn in front of His Majesty the King that she would never marry. Therefore, she could continue to live in the palace and command part of the imperial army. She was a princess who held actual power.

"What does Her Highness want from me?"

Merlin asked in a low voice.

"I don't know either. If Her Highness wants to see someone, I only need to notify the person. Count Leon, please follow me."

Merlin was also secretly on guard against this strange man. He was not familiar with the royal palace. If anything happened, it would be troublesome, so Merlin was alert of strangers.

After all, he had not reached the point where he could walk alone in this world. There were still many others who were stronger than him and could threaten his safety.

Following the man, they walked through layers of corridors before arriving at a beautiful garden.

"Please wait a moment while I inform them of your arrival, Count Leon."

Merlin's eyes narrowed slightly. After the man had entered the room, Merlin looked at the garden around him. It truly was a beautiful garden. There were all kinds of rare and strange fauna that Merlin had never seen before. The air was also full of an extraordinary fragrance.

However, Merlin suddenly frowned as if he had sensed a hint of danger. It was as if a pair of eyes full of killing intent had locked onto him.

"Roar…"

Without hesitation, Merlin immediately unveiled his fourth-form. With a spread of his wings, the wind howled as his huge body quickly flew to the sky.

"Whoosh."

However, a large net soon fell from the sky. It was a spider's web that was tightly woven and covered in poison. Although the toxicity could not kill Merlin, if it touched his body, it would be enough to paralyze him for a while.

As a result, Merlin could not rush out. Instead, he immediately fell to the ground and stared at the palace in front of him. Then, he charged directly into the palace.

"Boom."

The huge palace shook and crumbled as if it would collapse at any moment. Merlin's gaze was fixed on a woman in the palace.

This woman was very beautiful. Her chest was puffed and she was dressed in chiffon that hid her fair skin. She was an extremely charming woman.

However, beside her was a ferocious and terrifying giant spider. It stared at Merlin as if it would attack the moment Merlin moved.

"Princess Royal, is this how you treat your guest?"

Merlin had already guessed that this charming woman was the Princess Royal who had invited him. As for the sense of danger before, it was most likely only a test or a warning.

This spider had made Merlin feel an unprecedented sense of threat. It was a peak mid-tier full-shifter and was much stronger than Merlin. It was enough to rival Hert the Ursus King and was perhaps even more powerful than Hert.

The Princess Royal said with a charming smile, "It was just a test. I'm relieved that Count Leon possesses great power. The royal family needs strong and loyal aristocrats like Count Leon to ensure the stability of the royal family and the empire."

Merlin smiled in his heart. Was the Holy Dragon Empire still considered stable?

However, since he knew that it was a test, he did not need to maintain his transformation, so he immediately changed back to his original state and sat down in front of the Princess Royal.

The giant spider had also turned into a doddering old woman and kept close behind the Princess Royal. Merlin was secretly on alert. The royal family's strength was terrifying. Even a Princess Royal had such a powerful personal guardian.

Someone like the Ursus King Hert would be a hegemon no matter where he went. It would not be difficult to start up a small country. However, to willingly becoming the Princess Royal's bodyguard had shown how deep the royal family's methods ran.

That or perhaps the royal family provided enough benefits for this old woman to be a loyal bodyguard.

"Pray tell what the Princess Royal wants from me?"

Merlin looked at the Princess Royal and asked calmly.